Chapter 5
Harmony and Form
5.1 Triads!
Harmony (Section 2.5) in Western music (Section 2.8) is based on triads: ‘Triads are simple tliee
note chords (Chords) built of thirds 7
5.1.1 Triads in Root Position
‘Triads in Root Position
Interval of a fifth ——S=—— of a third
Root of chord
Bul
The chords in Figure 5.1 ate written in root position, which is the most basie way to write a trad
In root position, che coot, whieh is the note thar names the chord, is the lowest note. The third
of the chord is written a thitd (Figure 4.26) higher then the root, and the Bfth of the chord i=
ritten a fifth (Figure 1.26) higher than the root (whieh is also a thitd higher than the thitd of t
hord). So the simplest way to write a tiad is as a stack of thitds, in root position
Nore: The type of interval o chord - aiajor, minor, diminished, ete., is not important
hen vou are deternainiag the position of the chord, To simplify things, all uotes ia the
samples and exercises below are natural, Inet it would aot change tlweir position at all
if some notes were sharp or flat, It would, however, change the uane of the triad ~ see
Naming Triads (Seetion 3.2),
ent By avallable online at